Summer 2026 Internship
Position Overview
Gateway Foundation seeks a motivated and mission-driven Development Intern to support the organization’s fundraising and donor engagement during Summer 2026. Gateway Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming lives through evidence-based substance use and mental health disorder treatment and recovery services.
This unpaid internship is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in nonprofit fundraising, donor relations, and special events while supporting Gateway Foundation’s mission. The intern will work closely with the Chief Development Officer and Development Associate and will gain meaningful exposure to the day-to-day operations of a nonprofit development office.
This position is unpaid and intended to qualify for academic credit through the intern’s college or university.
Key Responsibilities
The Development Intern will assist with a range of development activities, including but not limited to:
· Supporting fundraising initiatives such as annual giving, events, and donor appeals, and special campaigns
· Assisting with donor research, prospect identification, and data entry in the donor database
· Preparing donor acknowledgement letters and stewardship materials
· Assisting with planning and execution of fundraising and cultivation events
· Supporting grant research and proposal preparation, as appropriate
· Assisting with development communications, including email campaigns, donor updates, and social media content
· Performing administrative and organizational tasks related to development operations
· Participating in development meetings and contributing to special projects as assigned
Learning Objectives
By the conclusion of the internship, the intern will have:
· Developed a working understanding of nonprofit fundraising and philanthropy
· Gained exposure to donor stewardship and relationship management best practices
· Learned how fundraising supports treatment programs and mission impact
· Built professional skills to communication, organization, and project coordination
Schedule & Time Commitment
· Duration: Summer 2026 (10 – 12 weeks)
· Weekly Commitment: 10 – 15 hours per week
· Schedule: 2 – 3 days per week (flexible; schedule to be coordinated with supervisor)
· Location: Chicago-based; in-person preferred
Qualifications
· Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program (nonprofit management, social work, public health, or related field preferred)
· Strong interest in nonprofit work, fundraising or social impact
· Excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication skills
· Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks
· Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, OneNote); database experience a plus
· Professionalism and ability to handle confidential information
Academic Credit
Students are eligible to receive academic credit through their college or university. Gateway Foundation will provide supervision, learning objectives, and required documentation to support academic credit requirements.